clark



6 SheetsSheet 1.

(No Model.)

W CLARK. APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GA$.

Patented June 4, 1889.

M M @q Inventor witnesses:

N PETERS. Plvolo-Ulhugmphar, Washington, ilc.

(No Model.) s Sheets'-Sheet 2.

W. CLARK. APPARATUS FOR MANUPAGTURING GAS.

No. 404,520. Patented June 4', 1889.

(Ilitnesse': Irnlentofiv Jef /"i (No Mbdel.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

- W. CLARK.

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS. No. 404,520. Patented June 4, 1889.

ELK W EV i 1 m n H i I i B. .27.

witnesses: Inventofi 2 y w w 4 (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

a W. CLARK. A v APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS.

No. 404.520. Patented June 4, 1889.

lmlentor 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

W. CLARK. APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS.

Patented June 4, 1889.

I min/MI I (h m m 1 1 1 0 1 w witnesses Inventor, 9/40 1 gz $4M (No Model.) s Sheets-Sheet 6.

W. CLARK. APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS.

Patented June 4, 1889. I

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A; A 92; y a 4% UNITE STATES' PATENT OFFICE.

\VALTON CLARK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO. UNITED GAS IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 404,520, dated June 4, 1889.

Application filed October 26, 1888. Serial No. 289,199- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.- 7

Be it known that I, WALTON CLARK, of the city and county I of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Manufacturing Gas, of which the following is a true and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to the construction of apparatus intended to make a mixed gasto wit, water-gas and ordinary coal-gas from bituminous coalmy object being to generally improve the construction and efficiency of I 5 such apparatus, and more particularly to so combine and arrange the various parts making up my apparatus as to save for use or storage substantially all of the coal-gas.

Generally speaking, the leading character.-

istic of my invention consists in the hereinafter-described construction and arrangement of the parts, whereby the externally-heated coal-distilling retorts are so arranged with respect to the water-gas generators and the hy- 2 5 draulic main or passage leading to the storage-tank that the coke can be pushed from them into the generators, while at the same time the coal-gas, either alone or mixed with the gas from the generators, traverses the re- 0 torts and escapes from near their closed or charging ends into the main. The inclined arrangement of the retorts, the double arrangement of the system, and the system by which the Siemens gas is used to'heat the 3 5 retorts, as hereinafter described, are also valuable and important elements of my new invention.

Reference is now had to the drawings, which illustrate a small gas-producing appa- 4o ratus embodying my invention in what I be lieve to be its best form, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus partially sectioned on the line L M of Fig. 8. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on the line A B of Fig. 4; Fig. 3, a similar sectional elevation on the line C D of Fig. 4. Fig. 4: is a front sectional elevation, the part to the right on the line GH of Figs. 2 and 3 and the part to the left on the line E F of the same figures. Fig. 5 is a front sectional elevation, the partto the right 011 the line K XV of Fig.

3 and the part to the left on the line I J of the same figure. Fig. 6 is a sectional plan onthe line X X of Figs.2and 3; Fig. 7, asectional plan on the line Y Y of Figs. 2 and 3, and Fig. 8 a sectional plan on the line 0 P of Fig. 2.

The apparatus as shown is a double one, this construction being essential, as will be seen, where a continuous mixture of watergas and coal-gas is to be made with but little waste of the coal-gas or admixture with Sicmens gas.

A A are generators of the kind commonly used in the alternate production of Siemens and water gas, A being the air-blast pipe, athe coal-hole, and a the ash-pit. I provide these generators with two openings near their tops, one, indicated by a being for the escape of Siemens gas when it is being made, and the other a serving for the escape of thewatergas and also for the entrance of coke from the retorts, as will be hereinafter described.

B indicates the structure containing and supporting the retorts and flue-systems, to be described. The mere construction of the structure B is of course unimportant and no part of my invention.

O is an inclined passage or conduit passing upward from the opening'ct and into the bot tom of a chamber 0'. The passage 0 is provided with a valve and valve-actuating rod, as indicated at 0, so that it can be closed at will.

O is a chamberhaving a hopper-shaped bottom, as is best seen in Fig. 2, and terminating in the conduit 0.

D D D are coal-distilling retorts,preferably inclined, as shown, opening at one end (the lowest) into the chamber 0, and having at 0 their other end (the highest) an opening d, from which extend pipes E E, leading into a hydraulic main E the upper ends of theretorts having removable caps or covers d through which bituminous coal can be from time to time introduced into them, small blocks d beingattached to handles (1 extending to the outside of structure B, so that when thrust forward they will lie in the open mouth of the retorts and prevent the coal from slid- IOO ing through them into chambers C. When the coal is coked and the blocks drawn back into chambers O, the coke can easily be forced out of the retorts into the chamber.

Returning again to the generators, A l 1* are pipes orconduits leading from the opening (L2. As shown, they are virtually made up of a single pipe divided bya crosspartition f. f f are openings leading out of pipes 11, and f f valves with their operating rods or handles arranged to cover and uncover the openings G is a chamber into which both openings f lead, and in which the valves f are situated; G, a conduit or passage leading from the box. G to a flue or passage G which opens at each end into the two passages or flues G which extend beneath the two sets of retorts D.

g .g, 850., are openings extending upward from the flue G into the chambers II, which in turn connect with chambers I by means of passages 71 The chambers I are formed by partitions 71, which also separate the chambers ll from each other, and, as will be seen, the retorts I) are either wholly or partially embraced by the chambers I, which are arranged side by side throughout their length. These chambers I open through a series of passages 1' '2' into passages or flues J, which in turn open through apertures k into the passages or ii ues K, which should extend beneath the lower retorts 1.) l), as shown, and at their farther end communicate through passages 7: with tines L L, said fines, of which there are two for each set of retorts, opening into the crosspassages L L From these cross-passages L apertures Z lead into flue-passages M, and thence into cross-passages N, leading to a gasoutlet, as 0 in Fig. 5, which should communicate in some convenient way with a stack S.

l I are air-inlet passages or lines communicating with the bottom of a series of lines or passages Q, arranged alternately with the lines M, and opening through apertures 2' into cross-passages R, from which fines R, which should run alongside of the passages L, lead.

R R are passages leading from the tines R R, and lying, as in the case of the passages G", beneath the retorts I). From these passages R small passages 0' arranged alon their length, lead into chambers ll.

The above-described plan for utilizing the Siemens gas in the external heating of the retorts while an importantis not an essential feature of myinventioinand, as is clearly indicated in the claims, I claim as new the described combination of the generators with the retorts and the gas-pipes leading from the retorts irrespective of the means used toheat the retorts.

T T are chambers adapted for use when it is desired to enrich the water-gas made in generators A by hydrocarbon oil. They coinmunicate with the top of the generators by means of conduits I, leading into openings (0'- in the generators, and are ')rovided with checlmr-work of refractory material, as indicated at "'l", oil-injector V, and gas-exit passages T through which, by any of the wellknown systems in use, communicati on is made with the stack and either directly or indirectly with the gasanain leading to the storage-tank.

The operation of my apparatus is as follows: Fires are made in the generators A A, and the valves 0' being closed the Siemens gas escapes through passages F 1* and open ings f, which, in the beginning, would both open into box G. Thence the gas passes through flue G. into the line G which is common to both sets of retorts, and from which the gas escapes into both of the flue-passages (l and through the series of passages g into the two sets of chambers ll. \Vhile the gases are following this course and after the hues and retorts are properly heated, the air is admitted at 1 1 and passes upward through passages Q into the cross-passage R, and thence through passages or fines B, through the tines R from which it escapes through small passages o into the chambers ll,where it mingles with the Siemens gas from the generators, which is ignited by the mixture. The burning gases pass upward through passages 7t into the chambers l, where they are brought into contact with the retorts l), and from which they pass through openings t' into ilues J, thence into iiues K, both of these sets of fines being in contact with the lower retorts l) l), and thence through passages 7a and L L and into the crossilucs U, which distribute them among the passages M, lying side by side with the air-passages Q. FIOUI these passages M the gases escape into the cross-Hues N and thence to the stack. The arrangement of the air-passages in contact with the passages through which the hot gases escape of course results in heating the air to ahigh degree before it mixes with the Siemens gas in the chambers ll. The particular ar rangement shown is not new with me, but is one of many similar devices well known in the arts, and an yet which could of course be used to accomplish the same purpose.

\Vhen the retorts l) are sufliciently heated, or, indeed, before they are heated, if desired, bituminous coal is introduced into them, the blocks o'f being pushed into their lower ends to prevent the ('oal'l'rom sliding through them into chambers (2. \Vhatevergas is driven oflf from the coal in the retorts escapes through the pipes E E into the hydraulic main 1*), and is conducted to the reservoir. The apparatus being at a proper temperature, the ai rsupply is cut oil from one of the generators, the valve/" nawed so as to close the passages F, leading from this generator, and the valve 0' moved so as to open the passage 0, leading from it. Steam is then admitted at the bot tom of the generator through pipe A and the water-gas formed by the decomposition of the steam in passing through the incamlescent charge in the generator passes then through opening a and passage or conduit (.3 into chambers and thence through the retorts IuO IIO

' C and falls into the generator. fresh charge of coke is delivered to the gentem of charging and discharging the various retorts with corresponding changes or altergas carried on continuously and with great coal-gas, while at the same time whatever construction apart fromits double character,

.D D D, escaping, together with the gas distilled from the coal by the external and iiiternal heat. applied to the retorts through pipes E E into main E While this is going on, the second generator continues to.v make Siemens gas, which is delivered, in the way already described, into the common fiu'e G and thence distributed so as to heat both sets of retorts externally. hen the coal has been converted into coke, itis pushed out of the retorts D into the chamber 0, falling through which it enters the inclined passage \Vhen this erator, the valve 0', leading from it, should be closed, and the valve f .closing the passage F, which communicates with it, open, the steam-passage A closed, and the air-blast A open, while the other generator should'be ar'- ranged to manufacture water-gas and deliver it to the other set of retorts.

It is of course evident that by a proper sys-- nations of the action of the generators the whole apparatus may be maintained at the eflicient temperature and the manufacture of economy. .In no event is any appreciable amount of the coal-gas wasted, nor need any Siemens gas be mixed with the water-gas and amount of such gas is necessarily produced is economically used in the external heating of the retorts.

While, as I have already stated, I prefer the double arrangement shown and described, my apparatus contains valuable novelties of and I therefore do not limit myself to the double apparatus, except where this limitation is expressly made in the claims.

In my preferred apparatus it will not, I think, be necessary or desirable to carburet the gas by the use of hydrocarbon oils. If. however, it is desired to so carburet the gas, it will best be done by the use of the device indicated in the drawings. A chamber, T, filled with checker-work, as indicated at T, should be provided and connected. with the generator bya conduit, such as U. Siemens gas from the generator should be passed through this chamber and preferably ignited in it, so as to heat the checker-Work to a proper temperature, the gases escaping through passage 'I and being conducted thence to the stack in the usual way, their surplus heat being utilized, if desired, to raise the temperature of any of the other parts of the apparatus. When the generation of Siemens gas is stopped and that of water-gas begun, any desired portion of such gas may be made to pass through the carbureter T, and oil is injected into the gas as it enters it through the oil-injector V, the oil vapor and gas being fixed and made into a permanent gas by the intense heat of the checker-work, and the gas the main E, as such a connection can be made in any number 'of ways or the connection can be made in the holder. These chambers T may, as aforesaid, be conveniently used with my improved device; but I do not' claim their. use to constitute a new combination or to involve invention. 7

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

'1. In an apparatus for manfacturing gas, the-combination of a generatorprovided with air-blast and steam pipes, a set of retorts arranged above the generator, a chamber into which the retorts open freely at one end, a passage extending from said chamber downwardly into the generator, gas-pipes leading from the ends of the retorts'opposite to those opening into the chamber aforesaid, combustion-chambers arranged externally around the retorts, said retorts being closed with respect to the combustion-chambers, a'flue system leading from the generator into said combustion-chambers, an air-flue system also leading into the combustion-chambers, and valves in the inclined passage and flue leading from the generator, whereby both can be opened or closed at wil1,.all as and for the purpose specified.

2. In an apparatus for manufacturing gas,

the combination of a generator provided With air-blast and steam pipes, a set of inclined retorts arranged above the generator, achamber into which the retort-s open freely at one end, a passage extending from said chamber downwardly into the generator, gas-pipes leading from the ends of the retorts opposite to those opening into the chamber aforesaid, combustionchambers arranged externally around the retorts, said retorts being closed with respect to the combustion-chamber, an independent flue system leading from the generator into said combustion-chambers, an air-flue system also leading into the combustion-chambers, and valves in the inclined passage and flue leading from the generator, whereby both can be opened or closed at will, all as and for the purpose specified.

3. In an apparatus for manufacturing gas, the combination of a generator provided with air-blast and steam-pipes, a set of retorts arranged above the generator, a chamber into chambers, a flue system leading from the combustion-chambers to the stack arranged to heat the air-fiue system, and valves in the inclined passage and flue leading from the generator, whereby both can be opened or closed at will, all as and for the purpose specified.

4. In an apparatus for manufacturing gas, the combination of two independent generators provided with air-blast and steam pipes, two sets of retorts arranged above the generators, two chambers, one for each set of retorts, into which said retorts open freely at one end, a passage leading downward from each chamber to the top of one of the generators, so as to connect each independent chamber with one of the generators, gas-pipes leading from each retort at the end opposite to that opening into the chambers aforesaid, combustionchambers arranged externally around each set of retorts, said retorts being closed with respect to the combustion-chambers, an independent 11 no system consisting of separate and independent fines leading from each generator tea common flue-connection with both sets of combustion-chambers, air-fines also leading into the combustion chambers, valves arranged to close the passage leading from the generators to the chambers into which the retort-s open, and valves arranged to close each of the passages leading from the generators to the common flue aforesaid.

5. In an apparatus for manufacturing gas, the combination of two independent generators provided with air-blast and steam pipes, two sets of inclined retorts arranged abovethe generators, two chambers, one for each set of retorts, into which said retorts open freely at their lower ends, a passage leading downward from each chamber to the top of one of the generators, so as to connect each independent chamber with one of the generators, gas-pipes leading from each retort at their upper ends, combustion -cl1ambers arranged externally around each set of retorts, said retorts being closed with respect to the combustion-chambers, a flue system consisting of independent flues leading from each generator to a common flue having connection with both sets of combustion-chambers, air-fines also leading into the combustion chambers, valves arranged to close the passages leading from the generators to the chambers into which the retorts open, and valves arranged to close each of the passages leading from the generators to the common flue aforesaid.

6. In an apparatus for manufacturing gas, the combination of two independent generators provided with air-blast and steam pipes, two sets of inclined retorts arranged above the generators, two chambers, one for each set of retorts, into which said retorts open freely at their lower ends, a passage leading downward from each chamber to the top of one of the generators, so as to connect each independent chamber with one of the generators, gas-pipes leading from each retort at their upper ends, combustion chambers arranged externally around each .set of retorts, said retorts being closed with respect to the combustion-chambers, a fine system consisting of independent fines leading from each generator to a common flue having connection with both sets of combustion-chambers, air-fines also leading into the combustion-chambers, a flue system leading from the combustion-chambers arranged in close contact with the air-flue system, so as to heat the entering air, valves arranged to close the passages leading from the generators to the chambers into which the retorts open, and valves arranged to close each of the passages leading from the generators to the common flue aforesaid.

VALTON CLARK.

lVitnesses:

LISLE S'roKEs, FRANCIS 'l. CHAMBERS. 

